Mount Pleasant vs West Ashley

Mount Pleasant

County

Charleston · Town Council sets zoning and permits

Population

95,469 · Town limits, Census estimate July 2025

Land area

49.53 sq mi · 2020 Census

New home permits

480 a year · Single-family cap, extended to 2029

West Ashley

Government

Mostly City of Charleston · A few unincorporated county pockets

ZIP codes

29407, 29414 · The ZIP doesn't settle the jurisdiction

West Ashley Greenway

About 8 miles · Albemarle Rd to Main Rd, on an old rail bed

Charles Towne Landing

664 acres · State historic site of the 1670 settlement

Mount Pleasant

Pros

• Close to downtown over the Ravenel Bridge, with a bike and walking path.
• Harbor, creek and river access, from Shem Creek to the Wando.
• Real growth controls: permit caps, an STR cap and new parkland.
• Wide range of homes, from the historic Old Village to newer master plans.

Cons

• US-17 and Highway 41 back up at peak hours, and the fixes take years.
• Flood-prone low spots, including parts of the Old Village.
• Permit caps and covenants limit what you can build or rent.
• HOA or POA dues in most newer neighborhoods.

West Ashley

Pros

• Close to downtown, with older neighborhoods and mature trees near the river.
• The West Ashley Greenway, Charles Towne Landing and the Ashley River Road sites.
• Real investment underway: Ashley Landing, the Ashley River bike bridge and drainage work.
• Wide range of housing, from 1940s homes to later subdivisions.

Cons

• US 17, Sam Rittenberg and I-526 back up at peak hours.
• Drainage and flood problems in the Church Creek basin and other low areas.
• Older homes often need sewer line, roof and drainage updates.
• Years of I-526 and Main Road construction ahead.